Turkish police raided the home of Fenerbahce captain Mert Hakan Yandaş on Friday as part of an expanding investigation into illegal betting and match-fixing that has shaken the country’s football establishment.
Istanbul prosecutors ordered the arrest of 46 individuals, including 29 professional footballers, early Friday morning. Yandaş, 31, is accused of placing illegal bets through a third party and has reportedly been taken into custody.
Among the detainees is Metehan Baltacı, the 23-year-old Galatasaray defender who was suspended for nine months by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for betting on matches involving his own club.
Under Turkish football regulations, players are strictly prohibited from placing bets on any matches to safeguard sporting integrity. Officials say 27 of the footballers arrested are suspected of wagering on games involving their own teams.
According to the prosecutor’s office, 35 of the 46 suspects have been detained so far, while five of the remaining individuals are believed to be outside the country.
“Efforts to apprehend the other suspects are ongoing,” the office said, releasing a full list of names. “Investigations will continue with meticulousness and determination.”
Those named include Ankaraspor owner Ahmet Okatan and club president Mehmet Emin Katipoğlu, along with Nazilli Belediyespor president Şahin Kaya and two coaches, all accused of fixing a match between their clubs in April 2024.
Six others — including one player — are accused of attempting to manipulate the outcome of the December 2023 fixture between Ümraniyespor and Giresunspor.
Also implicated are former Adana Demirspor president Murat Sancak, former referee and television commentator Ahmet Çakar and his wife, as well as top-flight referee Zorbay Küçük, all suspected of involvement in questionable financial activities.
The scandal comes amid a sweeping crackdown by Turkish football authorities. In November, the TFF suspended more than 1,000 players for alleged betting violations, a probe that widened after TFF president İbrahim Hacıosmanoğlu claimed hundreds of referees were linked to betting accounts.
On the pitch, the title race remains intense. Galatasaray currently leads the Turkish Super Lig by one point over rivals Fenerbahce after 14 matches. Both clubs are also active in European competition, with Galatasaray ranked 14th in UEFA’s Champions League standings and Fenerbahce 20th in the Europa League.
